Woman who turned around Thomas Cook handed global award

The executive responsible for turning around the fortunes of historic holiday firm Thomas Cook has won a global business award.

Harriet Green was appointed chief executive of Thomas Cook, founded in Leicester 173 years ago by the eponymous travel pioneer, when the business was facing major financial troubles.

Ms Green has been named the 42nd Veuve Clicquot Business Woman of the Year for her hard work, which led to the share price rising by 950 per cent. The award is widely-regarded as the Oscars for female business leaders globally.

She got the job at Thomas Cook in 2012 after cold-calling the chairman to tell him she was the right person to lead the recovery of the business.

Ms Green's leadership has been described as "the model for years to come and an example of how business can reform through strategy, technology and high performing teams".

She is half-way through a three-year plan to make savings and return the Peterborough-based group to profit after its near collapse in 2011 as a result of over-capacity in the holiday market.

In November, Ms Green outlined plans for a further wave of £440 million in cost reductions, having already slashed its network of UK travel agencies from more than 1,100 to 874, leading to about 2,500 job losses.

Ms Green said: "I believe it is incumbent on each of us to really encourage young women and young men to realise their full potential and find their entrepreneurial spirit."